‘The family of a man who died after being restrained face down by officers has accused police of being “arrogant and evasive”, after an inquest jury found that Sussex police’s neglect contributed to his death.’

‘The events leading to the death of a prisoner after she was restrained and left on the floor for 21 hours were “truly shocking”, a report has said. HMP Peterborough staff thought Annabella Landsberg was “play-acting” when she stayed on her cell floor after being restrained on 2 September 2017. However, when examined the next day the 45-year-old was found to be seriously unwell and later died in hospital.’

‘Half of the children tasered by police, and a third of those restrained using spit hoods, in England are black or from other minority ethnic groups, according to figures obtained by children’s rights campaigners.’

‘The family of Kingsley Burrell, who died in police custody in 2011, have renewed their calls for a public inquiry after one of the officers involved was sacked for lying about the events leading to the death, as well as failing in his duty of care.’

‘An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct into the incident in east London in July 2017 in which Rashan Charles died has found that the performance of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer who restrained Mr Charles fell short of expected standards.’

‘Rod Charles understands the issue of police constraint more than most. He is a retired chief inspector, having served for 30 years. He is also the great-uncle of Rashan Charles, 20, who died in an incident involving restraint by a police officer last July.’

‘A jury has found that Surrey police seriously failed in its duty of care to a 33-year-old labourer who was handcuffed, placed in leg restraints and had a spit hood placed over his head in the hours before he died.’

‘The police watchdog has directed the Met Police to begin gross misconduct hearings against five officers over the custody death of a mentally ill man. Sean Rigg, who had schizophrenia, died from cardiac arrest at Brixton police station in August 2008 after being restrained by officers. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said officers should face hearings over their actions.’

‘Two families bereaved by state-related deaths told MPs about their experiences at inquests last week. The House of Commons’ joint committee on human rights heard evidence from the parents of Connor Sparrowhawk, who drowned in a bath in a residential unit for people with learning disabilities, and Joseph Phuong who died following restraint by police during a mental health crisis. Jon Robins reports’

‘The police watchdog has launched an investigation into the death of a 25-year-old student in Oxford who was arrested by Thames Valley police shortly before he died. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the death of Nuno Cardoso, a law student from Kentish Town, north London, who died in November.’

‘Thousands of children and teenagers have been injured while being physically restrained in secure facilities, new figures have shown. Ministers have been urged to rethink heavy-handed techniques for restraining minors after official statistics revealed there have been more than 4,800 cases since 2010 where young people were hurt by being pinned down by officials.’

‘The review’s aims included examining the procedures and processes surrounding deaths and serious incidents in police custody, including the lead up to such incidents and the immediate aftermath, through to the conclusion of official investigations. The report makes 110 recommendations.’

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